Human Rights Field Rep I/II/III

Full Job Description

The Alaska State Commission for Human Rights is seeking a Human Rights Field Representative I/II/III to investigate civil rights violations under AS 18.80.

This position is currently under review as part of a classification study; therefore, the title and/or pay range currently assigned may be subject to change upon implementation of this class study.

The Human Rights Commission is an independent State of Alaska agency housed administratively within the Office of the Governor, reporting to seven Commissioners appointed by the Governor in 5-year rotating terms. Created in 1963 through the Alaska Human Rights Law, AS 18.80, it predates the U.S Civil Rights Act. It is a quasi-judicial agency charged with investigating discrimination complaints filed by the public in five areas: employment, places of public accommodation, credit and financing, the sale and rental of real property, and government practices. The Commission also educates the public about anti-discrimination laws and works to eradicate discrimination where possible. The agency works in conjunction with the federal Equal Employment Opportunities Commission ("EEOC") for cases that are co-filed.The Commission is seeking a Human Rights Field Representative I/II/III (an "investigator") to investigate complaints of discrimination, gather evidence, interview witnesses, analyze facts, and draft findings about whether discrimination occurred. The position interacts significantly with the public for complaint intake (phone and in-person), drafting complaints, contacting respondents, and closing cases. It also requires developing and writing case investigation plans, writing interview reports, and determination letters. The investigators are required to independently manage an ongoing caseload with minimal supervision, and close cases in a timely manner. This position requires a high degree of professionalism and the ability to work independently, as well as skill in conducting impartial and prompt investigations, analyzing evidence under relevant law, and preparing clear and comprehensive written and oral reports. The investigators are expected to engage in the Commission's public outreach program, which can involve public speaking and training to small groups.

The position has promotion potential depending on the level the successful applicant is recruited to, and further promotion potential based on the agency's needs within an anticipated restructuring. All Commission employees are within the State's "partially exempt" classification.


Human Rights Field Representative duties

Human Rights Field Representative I level:
This is the entry level position that will be supervised heavily based on the successful applicant's relative inexperience in Human Rights Law and investigations. The position answers and documents public inquiries, determines initial jurisdictional thresholds for complaints, and refers inquirers as appropriate. The position conducts intake interviews with prospective complainants, and frames legally sufficient complaints in a concise format. It drafts investigative plans, obtains evidence, and interviews witnesses. The position provides written and oral investigation status updates to parties and other staff. Working with the supervisor and the agency attorneys, the investigator analyzes the evidence and recommends whether a discrimination finding is warranted in a case analysis memorandum, followed by drafting a determination. The investigator must be self-motivated for staying up-to-date on relevant legal changes, but will also attend staff meetings, trainings, and seminars for professional development. The HRFR I also engages in community outreach and assists in public training.

Human Rights Field Representative II level:
As the intermediate/advanced-trainee position, it encompasses all of the HRFR I duties, but with significantly less supervision as the investigator's skills and knowledge continue to increase. The HRFR II is assigned cases to investigate based on the investigator's experience and increased knowledge of discrimination law. The position may spend less time on intake duty depending on the agency's staffing and needs, and more time conducting investigations. The investigator will present and discuss more complicated cases in "staffings" with the supervisor, attorneys, and executive director. The HRFR II will assist more senior investigators with systemic cases and is expected to work more independently in public outreach and training.

Human Rights Field Representative III level:
This is the senior investigator position for the agency. As such, the HRFR III does all the tasks of the HRFR I and II with minimal supervision. The HRFR III is the full "working level" class and has the heaviest caseload while performing the full range of enforcement duties. Additionally, the senior investigator will be assigned systemic investigations, and is expected to mentor and train the HRFR I and II positions. The HRFR III engages early with the parties to conduct resolution conferences, convey settlement offers, draft predetermination settlement agreements, and monitor respondent settlement compliance. In substantial evidence cases, the investigator will draft conciliation recommendations. In cases that require a public hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, the investigator will assist the attorney throughout the trial and may be called to testify. The HRFR III is an expert in AS 18.80, relevant cases, and federal Civil Rights Act law.


Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Human Rights Field Representative I level:

• Knowledge of:
  • Alaska Human Rights law
  • Federal Civil Rights law
  • Legal theory
  • Theories of discrimination
  • Principles and techniques of investigation, including interviewing
  • Basic statistical concepts
• Skill in:
  • Reading and comprehending statutes and court decisions
  • Negotiation (specifically, settlement agreements)
  • Effective written and oral communication
  • Interacting with a wide variety of individuals under stressful situations
  • Basic and routine math calculations
• Ability to:
  • Analyze evidence
  • Draw logical conclusions
  • Conduct fair and impartial investigations
  • Observe differences in the ability of witnesses to communicate and adjust accordingly
  • Determine witness credibility
  • Recognize the parties' readiness to reconcile a case

Human Rights Field Representative II level:

• All the desired knowledge, skill, and ability for the HRFR I position
• Prior law enforcement or civil investigation experience
• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Human Rights Field Representative III level:

• All the desired knowledge, skill, and ability for the HRFR II position
• Extensive prior law enforcement or civil investigation experience
• Expert level knowledge of Alaska Human Rights law and U.S. Civil Rights law

Requirements

Human Rights Field Representative I:

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in

• Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences
• Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
• Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:

training or experience in communication, interviewing skills and techniques, and gathering, organizing, and reporting data.

Definitions:

"Training" means the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on-line, self-study, and on-the-job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long-duration (such as a post-secondary degree) and short-duration (such as a seminar) programs.

Human Rights Field Representative II:

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in

• Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
• Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
• Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:

training or professional experience in civil rights law and the principles and techniques of investigation.

Definitions:

"Professional experience" means work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment.

Human Rights Field Representative III:

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in

• Accountability: Accepts responsibility for own actions and decisions and demonstrates commitment to accomplish work in an ethical, efficient, and cost-effective manner.
• Influencing/Negotiating: Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.
• Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Organizational Awareness: Knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization.
• Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:

training and professional experience in civil rights law, the principles and techniques of investigation, and negotiating agreements.

Qualifications

**NOTE: PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY**LEGAL EMPLOYMENTThe State's on-line recruitment system, Workplace Alaska, requires applicants to certify that they have a legal right to accept employment in the United States.

It is the responsibility of the employee to maintain the appropriate documentation to accept or continue legal employment.

The State of Alaska does not function in the role as an employer sponsor.COVER LETTERYou are required to attach a professionally formatted cover letter with this application or theapplication will be regarded as incomplete and not considered further in the recruitment process.The cover letter should be written with as much detail as necessary to report on the following objectives:

• State how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Provide a written response to support each of the Skills, Strengths, and Qualifications that are listed in the Job Description for the job class you are applying for. Use examples of how you have had similar responsibilities and give examples of your experience.
• Provide a written statement on your educational background, if applicable.
• Please describe your work experience as it relates to this position.
• Your cover letter will be reviewed for content, organization, spelling and grammar. Be certain to follow the instructions. Cover letter shall be 1 page at minimum but shall not exceed 3 pages.
• If you do not attach a professional cover letter addressing the objectives listed above, you will not advance to the next step in the selection process and your application will be processed as incomplete.

REQUIRED

This position requires the applicant to attach a cover letter addressing the criteria listed above, and a resume. The cover letter should be addressed to Rob Corbisier, Executive Director. To be considered for this position, applicants are required to submit one, originally authored, analytical writing sample. The sample should be three to seven pages in length. If you are not prepared to submit a writing sample at the time of application, please do not apply for this position. If you are unable to attach application materials, they may be faxed or scanned and emailed to toyia.devalle@alaska.gov or mailed to:

Toyia Del Valle
Alaska State Commission for Human Rights
800 A Street, Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99501

The entire applicant package, including cover letter and writing sample, will be carefully considered to determine who will move to the next phase of the interview process. Applicants invited for full interview will be required to provide three (3) references, with their current contact information, who can attest to your suitability for this position.


FLEXIBLY STAFFED
This position is flexibly staffed. This vacancy may be filled at either the Human Rights Field Representative I, II, or III level depending on the applicant's training and/or experience. Please respond to all of the minimum qualification questions.

WORK EXPERIENCE
When utilizing work experience not already documented in your Applicant Profile, also provide the employer name, your job title, dates of employment and whether full-time or part-time within your resume. Applications and resumes will be reviewed to determine if the minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.

EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

Workplace Alaska NOTICE

PLEASE NOTE: If you choose to apply using a hardcopy (paper) application, please follow
the instructions on the Workplace Alaska website "How to Apply."

Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at
800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 276-7474. If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the "governmentjobs.com" and "alaska.gov" domains. For information on allowing emails from the "governmentjobs.com" domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword.

Additional Information

Toyia Del Valle
Administrative Officer II
Alaska State Commission for Human Rights
toyia.delvalle@alaska.gov